”Shahenshah’ Kohli, ‘Dabang’ Tendulkar, ‘Khiladi’ Bumrah’ – Gautam Gambhir nicknames cricket stars

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. (Source – BCCI)

Former Indian opener and current head coach Gautam Gambhir recently participated in a lighthearted game where he assigned movie-inspired nicknames to some of India’s cricket superstars. The southpaw participated in this challenge during the recently concluded Delhi Premier League.

In his choices, Gambhir crowned star batter Virat Kohli as “Shahenshah” (King of Kings). Other interesting selections included giving Sachin Tendulkar as “Dabang” (Fearless) title, Jasprit Bumrah as “Khiladi” (Player), and Yuvraj Singh as “Badshah” (King).

Gambhir didn’t shy away from self-deprecating humor, labeling himself the “Angry Young Man.” Interestingly, Gambhir emphasized the importance of Bumrah’s role, stating, “‘Khiladi’ is more important than all these.” He also named Rahul Dravid as “Mr. Perfectionist,” Sourav Ganguly the title of “Tiger,” and the recently retired Shikhar Dhawan was dubbed “Gabbar.”

Also read: Gautam Gambhir never sugarcoats, he is straight on your face, says Krishnappa Gowtham

I share a very good relationship off the field with Virat Kohli: Gautam Gambhir

Meanwhile, the head coach also had opened up about his relation with former India skipper Kohli, and mentioning that both of them share a calm and have mutual respect for each other.

“What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli… I think it is between two mature individuals. On the field, everyone has got the right to fight for their own team, for their own jersey, and want to come back in a winning dressing room. But, at the moment, I think you are representing India and representing 140 crore Indians and I am sure we are going to be on the same page and try and make India proud. I share a very good relationship off the field and we will continue to do that. But yes, to make it more public what kind of a relationship [we have] I think it is between two individuals,” he earlier said.

Meanwhile, India will be next seen in action against Bangladesh for a two-match Test series and will also be Gambhir’s first Test match as India’s head coach.